While this game might not be the premier matchup of the day (that distinction goes to Tennessee and Auburn), it still has massive implications for the Big 12 race. A Houston win keeps them unbeaten in conference play and at least one game up on Iowa State and Arizona State. However, a Kansas win gives those two teams a chance to pull even with the Cougars and would put the Jayhawks just one game behind them.
Here are my favorite bets for what could be a dogfight of a game.
Hunter Dickinson Over 24.5 Points + Rebounds (-111)
One of these days I'll make the right choice between Hunter Dickinson and Zeke Mayo. This time, I'm going with the big man. While this total is expected to be very low (126.5 total), Dickinson has a massive size advantage on every potential matchup with Houston.
The Cougars' tallest player is 6'8" and only plays 16 minutes per game. J'Wan Roberts and Joseph Tugler are the main "big" men that Houston plays, and they are both just 6'7". Not only are they one of the shortest frontcourts in college basketball, but their play styles also aren't going to keep Dickinson off the floor.
The pair combine for 12 rebounds per game, which isn't a lot considering their 48 minutes played per game. They have also taken just eight combined three-pointers, so their offensive abilities won't force Dickinson into uncomfortable defensive positions. Dickinson is the 5th leading scorer and leading rebounder in the Big 12. It's a match made in heaven for the preseason All-American.
Kansas Moneyline (-111)
There are two big factors that I'm taking into account for this game. Neither of them have anything to do with the two teams that will be on the court.
First, Houston doesn't have a big marquee win this season. They are 0-3 in Quad 1 games, with losses to Auburn, Alabama, and San Diego State. They are unbeaten in seven Quad 2 games, but most of those have been at home or a neutral site. Their best win according to NET rankings is at home against BYU, who is just 3-4 in Big 12 play. This isn't to say that the Cougars aren't a good team, because they absolutely are. It's more to say that they have yet to win a big game against a premier team.
Second, Bill Self called out the KU students earlier this week in a press conference, saying he hasn't felt the same level of energy that he has in the past. I think he knew exactly what he was doing. He wanted to get this crowd fired up for one of their most important games of the season, and questioning their energy and passion should do just that. Don't be surprised if the crowd on Saturday evening is one of the best we've seen in recent memory. Houston, whose only road games have been against the 11th, 14th, and 15th-ranked teams in the Big 12, hasn't seen a crowd like Allen Fieldhouse yet this season. They had close games with Auburn and Alabama, but this may very well be Houston's toughest test to date.